Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP) Selects SmartSynch/AT&T Solution For 10,000 Unit Point-To-Point SmartMeter Trial Deployment Throughout Texas Market
Jackson, MS - SmartSynch, Inc., a Smart Grid infrastructure company utilizing standard IP communications via public wireless networks, announced recently that Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP) has selected the SmartSynch/AT&T SmartMeter solution for a 10,000 unit point-to-point trial deployment to residential customers throughout the utility's Texas market. This makes TNMP the first utility to capitalize on SmartSynch's recently announced alliance with AT&T to bring smart grid technology to the home.
TNMP's decision was spurred by the successful performance of five SmartSynch system pilots deployed during the last 14 months in Clifton, Lewisville, Texas City, Dickinson and Brazoria, Texas. The pilots supported the collection of billing reads, remote service connect/disconnect capabilities and real-time event alarm notification. The SmartSynch solution was utilized to perform the first in-production remote move-in / move-out service requests in the state of Texas.
This latest 10,000 SmartSynch SmartMeter trial deployment will enable TNMP to monitor and trend customer usage data in 15 minute intervals, expand capabilities to support energy management, and provide a Home Area Network communications gateway enabling Retail Energy Providers to manage demand response and energy efficiency activities, and their end-use customers to monitor and regulate their electricity usage via the internet and in-home devices. SmartSynch's technology will also help TNMP provide faster and safer response to customer service requests and power outages, while reducing its meter reading and work order costs. TNMP also will reduce its overall carbon footprint, since fewer truck rolls means less gasoline purchased and consumed.
"We are delighted to have an innovative and responsive company like SmartSynch serving as our smart grid infrastructure partner for this landmark trial," said Neal Walker, vice president, Texas Operations for TNMP. "With these units serving as our smart grid foundation in Texas, SmartSynch's secure IP-based solutions offer flexibility to support today's smart grid needs, and tomorrow's opportunities." Walker said SmartSynch's new alliance with AT&T will help enable TNMP to strategically deploy the solutions quicker, easier and wherever they can provide the greatest and most immediate benefits.
AT&T and SmartSynch recently unveiled a new alternative for electric utility companies looking to provide the benefits of smart grid technology to their residential customers. The two companies are for the first time providing utilities with a cost-effective option for leveraging smart grid technology to enable a point-to-point, IP-based configuration to serve these customers.
"TNMP understands the importance of deploying a smart grid infrastructure that can stand the test of time, and we are pleased that they view our solutions as the perfect fit for this important phase of their initiative," said Stephen Johnston, SmartSynch's Chief Executive Officer. "With TNMP's service territory ranging from dense suburban areas near Dallas and Houston to remote geographic locations in south, central and west Texas, the advantages of utilizing AT&T's wireless network are indisputable."
SOURCE: SmartSynch, Inc.